Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-01-12
The Excitement Runs High over
RnmOrs and Bulletins From
Washington.
Opinions on the Passage aud Eject Of
the Edmunds-Tuckcr Bill, From
Either Side of the Fence.
The Gentiles, With u Few Notable EX-
ceptiOns, Think the Effect VIII
BE Sweeping Good.
Some of the MOrmOns are Confident
That the Bill viii Not Pass-Will
the Good he Cut Out of 1t!

when Il bulletin from Washington an
nounced that the measure had been
taken up by the House at 1890 o'clock.
Some cranks got hold OF the informa-
ton and soon started the rumor that the
bill had passed. The report, like
all false ones, flew like lightning,
and in less than half an hour the town
was full OF excitement. The average Nor
mon wore look Of general depression
while many Liberal was seen smiling
to himself over the good news. The sor-
row, on the one hand, and the Joy on the
other, was, however, short-lived, as the
correct report soon became generally
known, and the excitement began to
wane.
The interest is, however, still at its
height, and further news is awaited with
anxiety. The fact that Tucker presumed
to limit the time OF the opposition would
seem to indicate that he knew the feeling
OF the House and was entirely convinced
that they were with him.
DEMOCRAT reporters have been busy
during the morning soliciting opinions Of
prominent citizens on the measure, with
the effect noted below. 1t vii be seen
that as rule the Gentiles are confident
OF the passage and ultimate success Of
the bill, while the Mormons prefer to
keep mum.
THOMAS MARSHALL said: | believe the
bill will pass and prove OF vast benefit
to both Mormons and Gentiles that it
will advance the value OF property, en-
courage immigration, and give an impulse
to trade that Utah has never had. 1t will
invite new capital to the Territory and
give confidence to investors. That the
booms other Western cities and towns
north and south will be felt in Utah and
Salt Lake City. do not think that the
Mormon apprehension about their prop
erty is well founded. Over one-half OF the
productive property of Utah is held by
Genties and their interests are in com
mon with those OF the Mormons. He
thinks that the Gentiles will OF course fill
all the offices; that they will he COM
PEELED to act towards the property of
Mormons as they would towards their
own; that taxation must be uniform and
consequently any boom or increase in the
value OF the property OF Gentiles would
be felt in greater proportion by the adj
vance of values of the real estate of
Mormons.
w. S. MCCORNICK said: | think it will
not pass. | do not think the bill good
in its entirety, though it contains some
good provisions. think it will materially
disturb the values of property, as do all
sudden transitions from existing laws
to new ones. | believe Il legislative COM
mission would have salutary effect and
remove the present existing uneasiness
in the community. | think the present
am biguousness in certain conditions of
affairs in Utah will increase. | think the
bill leaves many matters open to litga-
ton, especially as regards the offices,
whereas the acts OF legislative commits
sion would not be questioned but be ac-
cepted as final disposition OF the ques-
ton.
j. N. KDIBALL, OF Ogden, says that Il
portion OF the law effecting the property
will become dead letter us the larger
corporations have already so disposed of
their property as to come within the pale
of the law.
NJ. NJ. KMGHN thinks it will pass if it
comes to square vote. He thinks it is
now the end OF the question. He says
the bill errs as regards the distribution
OF a wife's property. He thinks the
Mormons will not leave Utah, but will be
law-abiding citizens. He thinks that the
bill becoming law, Cannon and TAYLOR
will succumb, pull the latch string, and
all their followers will fall into line.
U. $. ATTORNEY DICKSON believes the
bill will pass, that it will deprive the
Mormons OF political power and force the
church to stand towards the community
as do other law-abiding religious sects.
Coy. MURRAY thinks and hopes the
bill will pass and become a law, and saws
it will, if enforced, give to Utah and Salt
Lake City better government than has
heretofore been known. In general the
bill has the Governors approval.
Bishop JOHN SHARP did not desire to
express an opinion, but did say that he
thought Congress would be fighting for
two days to come over the bill. lie
thought that Congress or the public little
cared for his opinions.
Mr.. LOUIS HILLS, cashier OF the Deseret
Bank, believes the bill will pass and be-
come law He thinks there is no oc-
casion for alarm, but that business will
suffer stagnation, and that in many re-
spects the bill is anything but a good one
for the Territory, and will create much
disappointment.
SUPERINTENDENT ELDREDGE, OF the u.
{. NJ. l., positively declined to say any
thing upon the subject, but nervously
showed that he was annoyed, and by his
looks indicated that he felt like kicking
the reporter to where he would like to see
the Edmunds-Tucker bill
7. Il. JONES thinks the bill will pass.
Upon the whole he thinks it will make
material changes As to the ultimate
outcome he is not prepared to offer an
opinion. In fact, it is his private opinion
that the Gentiles should and will even
tually control Utah affairs
In RAILWAY CIRCLES, the opinionis that
the bill will pass that there will be a
great influx OF travel, and the railways
gain materially in business.
COMMISSIONER Thomas thinks the bin
will pass. As the Mormons don't pro-
pose to obey the law, the Government
will force them to do 50, The bill is a
beneficial one, and the laws will be wisely
Cor, STANTON, L. S. Army, believes
the bill will pass, and though he does
not think the bill will be an ultimate set
Element OF the affairs in Utah, predicts
that real estate will advance in value;
that troops will be retained at Fort Doug